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Car Boot sales are traditionally a Sunday affair – where those of us with items surplus to our needs hope to move them on to someone willing to take them off our hands.

Right now at West Ham it would appear we have a pressing Car Boot situation made up of footballers. Ones we need to shift to pastures new. Those surplus to the requirements of new Head Coach Julen Lopetegui, as he works to take the team forward in his own image.




Amongst other things we also need to move players off the books to comply with the Profit & Sustainability rules demanded by the Premier League. But with only one weekend left between now and the end of the transfer window, we’re going to need more than a single ‘Car Boot Sunday’ to shift our surplus to requirements.

If we’re to believe what we’re told via social media, there are around nine names on the list of those reckoned not to figure in Julen’s plans for the season. Although it’s highly unlikely that a cull of that proportion would be possible, or even advisable, between now and 30 August.

Yes, we need to have some cash flowing in to supplement the money being paid out. Plus the current wage bill has to be a serious concern.

But at the same time, squad numbers need to be kept at sufficient levels to cope with any eventuality. We can’t complain about being short on depth in one breath - an accusation repeatedly levelled at previous manager David Moyes - then leave ourselves bereft of options with the next. All things in moderation!

We’ve all allowed ourselves to be swept along on a wave of optimism with the new faces at the club – but just as important is who goes in the opposite direction. Technical Director Tim Steidten has overseen the arrivals – working closely with the new Head Coach.




It’s a glamorous part of his role to be photographed alongside the newbies - but it’s not clear if part of his over-arching remit is also to negotiate around the departures. Maybe knocking on doors and sending out flyers is down to someone else? Whoever is in charge of outgoings – the clock is ticking.

Traditionally there is a flurry of activity as the witching hour draws ever closer – this season, more than most, maybe the action needs to start – and soon! Maxwel Cornet, Danny Ings, Kurt Zouma and Nayaf Aguerd are four of the most popular choices to depart – with only the sale of Aguerd likely to bring in anything of great significance in monetary terms.

But the names of James Ward-Prowse, Vlad Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Michail Antonio and Konstantinos Mavropanos have also been put in the frame – although not by the club, it has to be said. It really would be quite remarkable if all those were allowed to walk.

By the time the Manchester City game comes around, we will know for sure who is staying and who is going – or gone! As Lopetegui said at his pre-Crystal Palace press conference when asked about comings and goings: “In the time before the market closes, for everyone it’s still not certain who might come and go. We have to adapt…we have to balance everything and try to be competitive.”

Seems like Julen will be as happy as the rest of us when the curtain finally falls!

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